Depends who you work for. Some employers still provide loss of licence insurance, some never did. Then the question of time in situ arises, some employers may give you early retirement but this is less likely as time and the current financial fracas roll on. In my case I was diagnosed with a problem that required fairly hefty medication 12 months ago. I had been with my employer for 19 years and was due to retire in September. They kept me on doing odd tasks not requiring a licence until the magic 60. Full pay but no shift allowance so I was pretty well treated and this by an outfit that sometimes gets slated in these forums. I can think of some companies that would have dumped me. I suppose you just have to read the small print in the contract.